Solomon Islands to rearm police force

The Solomon Islands National Parliament has recommended the rearming of

certain special units within the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

The recommendation was one of 15 published by the Parliament Foreign Relations Committee in their report on the inquiry into the facilitation of international assistance notice 2003 and RAMSI intervention.

Presenting the committee's findings in parliament, Chairman Peter Boyers said their findings were that it would be wiser to rearm some components of the police while RAMSI is present than to do so without their presence.

He also highlighted that the report recommends that the rearming be carried out with RAMSI's consultation.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police has never been rearmed since its disarmament as a result of the 2000 coup.